By Ameh Ejekwonyilo
The National Human Rights Commission has identified equal opportunities as the cornerstone of any COVID-19 recovery efforts that would ensure the realisation of human rights in Nigeria and beyond.
Executive Secretary of the Commission, Mr. Tony Ojukwu who stated this at an International Conference on the Future of Human Rights, in commemoration of the 2020 International Human Rights Day, tasked all government agencies to mainstream human rights into their post COVID-19 recovery efforts, adding that such efforts will assist the nation to achieve the SDG and the 2030 development agenda.
According to the Executive Secretary, the theme of this year’s celebration, “Recover better-Stand Up for Human Rights”, relates to the COVID-19 pandemic and draws attention to the need to recover and build back better by ensuring human rights are at the centre of the recovery initiatives.
Ojukwu re-stated that while standing up for human rights, there was need to engage citizens, partners and the global community to bolster transformational action and showcase practical and inspirational examples that could contribute to recovering better and fostering more resilient and just societies.
In his goodwill message, the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami (SAN) stated that enjoyment of human rights is one the cardinal pillars of democratic governance, assuring that the federal government was committed to protecting these rights.
According to the AGF who was represented by the Solicitor-General of the Federation and Permanent Secretary Federal Ministry of Justice, Mr. Dayo Apata (SAN), reiterated government’s obligation to the citizens irrespective of their religion, ethnic, cultural or political affiliations.
The AGF observed that the federal government was not oblivious of the fact that COVID-19 pandemic had affected citizens in diverse ways and that to mitigate the effects of the unfortunate condition, the federal government intensified programmes like farmer-moni, trader-moni, survivors grants to households, small and medium scale businesses and other soft loans to Nigerians.
The Chief Law Officer of the federation used the opportunity to inform Nigerians that through its collaboration with the National Judicial Council, court processes have been digitalised.
“The Ministry is working towards the realisation of the proposed legislation of an Act to govern administrative proccesses in civil matters in line with the ACJA and other information and communication technologies towards enhancing the enjoyment of human rights,” the AGF added.
On his part, the President of Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Mr. Olumide Akpata reaffirmed the determination of the NBA to collaborate with human rights stakeholders like the NHRC to fight against human rights violations.
The NBA President who was represented at the event by Mr. Chukwuemeka Clement E (Bwari Branch Chairman), used the opportunity to reassure Nigerians that NBA would stand by them towards ending Police brutality in the country, adding that the on-going Independent Investigation Panel on allegations of human rights violation by the Nigerian Police has presented another opportunity to collaborate with the NHRC address the aforesaid violations.
Several other human rights personalities, national and international partners were at the occasion and made positive impact on the successful hosting of this year’s International Human Rights Day celebration.
Among them are: Dr. Abiola Akiode Afolabi, Chair of Transition Monitoring Group, Prof. Julius Ihonvbere, Chairman Committee on Basic Education, House of Representatives, HE Walter Kazadi, Head of Mission and WHO Representative in Nigeria, HE Edward Kallon, UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator, HE Ketil Karlsen, European Union Ambassador to Nigeria and ECOWAS.
Others include: Mr. Onyebisi Babatunde Oluseyi, Executive Director, Nigerian Network of Non-Governmental Organisations, Hon Kabir Idris, Chairman Committee on Civil Societies and Development Partners, Ms Osai Ojigho, Country Director, CLEEN Foundation, Mr. Eze Onyekpere, Executive Director, Centre for Social Justice, Chief Awa Kalu (SAN), Sen. Bamidele Opeyemi, Chairman Judiciary, Human Rights and Legal Matters, Prof. Deji Adekunle (SAN), former Ditector General, Nigerian Institute of Advanced Legal Studies, Dr. Uche Igwe, Research fellow, Firoz Lalji Centre for African, London School of Economics, Prof. Ademola Oluborode Jegede, School of Law, University of Venda, South Africa.
